Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Sunday's Forecast
Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
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Gale force, walking arduous
Considerable buffeting, walking into the wind will be strenuous on exposed terrain, stronger gusts may knock you off your feet. 40 to 55mph.
Heavy snow
Continuous or almost constant heavy snowfall, large flakes falling to low elevations. Beware of near-zero visibility from falling or blowing snow, risk of blizzard conditions.
Whiteout
Fog and lying snow over the mountains, possibly with falling or blowing snow, very disorientating. Map and compass essential, beware of unseen hazards such as cornices.
Cold
Air temperatures near or below freezing on high tops; if exposed to brisk winds significant chill factor on high mountains. Carry suitable clothing.
Winter kit required on higher mountains
Snow cover over higher mountain terrain. Safe progress around some tops and ridges will require suitable footwear - possibly crampons and ice-axe where necessary.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 22nd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Very severe conditions due to widespread storm force northwesterly winds across the mountains. Frequent snow showers will come in off the sea, extending well inland and in some areas merging to give almost constant snow and whiteout for a few hours.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Storm force upland wind. Frequent snow; whiteout.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Northwesterly 55 to 75mph; particularly gusty near precipitation.
Effect of the wind on you?
Arduous walking on lower slopes, whilst higher up severe wind chill and any mobility challenging, particularly near precipitation.
How Wet?
Frequent hail and snow
Snow showers, sometimes one after another, with risk of the precipitation more or less constant over a couple of hours, giving whiteout. From Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms NP: fewer showers, some dry periods.
Cloud on the hills?
Very extensive across the mountains; cloud base varying
Near precipitation cloud sometimes below 500m Monadhliath east to Cairngorms and Lochnagar, but breaks to 750m, perhaps 900m. Higher cloud base Ben Alder to southern Cairngorms NP, where mostly 600 to 1000m.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of sunshine, mainly Ben Alder east to southern Cairngorms NP. Very varied visibility, appalling or near zero in snow/blowing snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C, slight rise through day. Will feel as cold as minus 19C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
600m; will rise marginally through daylight.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 23rd December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
West later southwesterly; a lull to around 20mph morning, then strengthening toward 35 or by dusk 40mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Mostly small; but anticipate a change in afternoon to considerable wind chill and more strenuous walking.
How Wet?
Risk rain later in day
Rain, or temporarily snow or refrozen rain above 600m, spreading east afternoon - probably not reaching east of A9 until about dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Confined to higher tops; highest cloud base south of Cairngorms
Cloud lifting to above 900 to 1100m for a few hours, and in Cairngorms NP may lift above 1200m. But risk deterioration as cloud fills in above 600-800m in precipitation toward dusk.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sunshine as cloud thickens from west. Visibility excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-2C rising to 0 to 2C toward or after dusk. Will feel as cold as minus 7C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
700m, starting to transition to above the summits toward evening.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 24th December 2024
Last updated
Sat 21st Dec 24 at
12:03PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 50 to 60mph.
Effect of the wind on you?
Very difficult conditions where exposed on higher areas; significant wind chill and walking strenuous; balance/foot placement not easy.
How Wet?
Rain, mainly west of A9
Raining on and off west of A9. Progressively less wet east across Cairngorms NP; rarely raining near and east of Braemar.
Cloud on the hills?
Blanket of cloud across the mountains.
Cloud base widely 500 to 700m, although breaks to 900, perhaps 1050m on summits accessible from Deeside.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
Less than 10%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunshine here and there lower slopes, most likely Deeside Poor visibility in rain, mostly very good or excellent Deeside.
How Cold? (at 900m)
7C. Will feel as cold as minus 9C where exposed to the wind
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Planning Outlook
A change in the weather pattern from Tuesday as high pressure progressively envelops Wales and England. Here (and also in S Scotland), extensively dry and the and progressively dropping, initially across Wales. Mild - although frost in valleys some nights. Still windy Scottish Highlands, here very mild with lying snow substantially melting. Rain frequent NW Highlands, and less so W Highlands. Further east little or no rain.